"King Chapa! King Chapa! King Chapa!"
King Chapa's entrance drew a feverish roar from his supporters. The burly, heavily muscled man strode onto the ring with a confident smile, waving to the audience as he went.
He deliberately rolled his shoulders and flexed his arms, his well-developed muscles bulging like coiling dragons. He struck the opening stance of the Eight-Hand Fist, and a dense flurry of phantom punches immediately filled the space in front of him, drawing another loud cheer from the crowd.
He stopped opposite Vitelli. Seeing how sleepy his opponent looked only made him look down on him more. He snorted in disdain.
"Hmph! Kid! Don't think that just because you got lucky yesterday and won a few matches with some dirty tricks I don't know, you can swagger around in front of me, King Chapa! You're out of luck running into me! Your little tricks won't stand a chance against the true secrets of my Eight-Hand Fist!" He held his chin high and looked down his nose at Vitelli, as if victory were already his.
Vitelli couldn't even be bothered to raise an eyelid. He had no interest in this pointless pre-match trash talk. He didn't even change his stance, merely raising his right hand in a casual fist.
The instant the referee's "Begin!" had left his lips—
Vitelli moved!
No windup, no shout, not even an obvious display of effort!
He simply swung a punch forward, as naturally and casually as if shooing away a fly!
Thud—!!!
A muffled boom rang out, so powerful it seemed to stop hearts. It was as if the punch had blown up the air itself! A visible ring of white air erupted from Vitelli's fist!
King Chapa, who had been shouting just a moment before, froze. His smug expression vanished, replaced in an instant by sheer terror! He hadn't even seen the punch coming. All he felt was an indescribable force, as overwhelming as an avalanche or a tsunami, crashing into his chest!
"Gaaah—!!!"
A shrill, distorted scream ripped through the air! King Chapa's burly body was struck head-on by a speeding heavy truck! In an instant, he became a blurred, twisting cannonball, shooting straight out of the ring and into the sky at a terrifying speed far beyond the sound barrier, with a shriek that tore through the air!
He was moving so fast that he left a white streak across the sky!
In just a second or two, the scream and blurred figure vanished beyond the distant horizon, leaving only a faint, fading trail of white clouds and a deathly silence across the arena.
The die-hard fans who had been cheering and waving flags for King Chapa froze, their smiles and shouts stuck on their faces as if someone had hit pause. Their mouths gaped wide enough to fit an egg! Tens of thousands of spectators sat in the arena, and not a single sound could be heard. Only the wind and the faint sound of waves lapping against the shore broke the silence.
"Wow! A shooting star!" Krillin was the first to break the silence. Excitedly pointing in the direction King Chapa had vanished, he clasped his hands and shut his eyes, making a solemn wish. "I hope I get rich overnight!"
Goku instinctively clasped his hands too. "I hope I can eat meat every day..."
The two little boys making wishes beside the ring looked all the more bizarre and comical against the silent arena.
The referee's hand trembled as he held the microphone. He swallowed, then summoned all his strength to steady his voice. "The... the winner... is Vitelli!" His voice came out dry, as if even those few words had taken everything he had.
This time, there were no cheers or applause. Countless horrified stares, as if everyone were looking at a monster, were fixed on the black-haired young man in the ring. He slowly lowered his fist, as though he'd just done something utterly trivial.
One punch! Just one punch! A semifinalist had been sent flying like trash, disappearing into the horizon! What kind of terrifying power was that?! It was far beyond anything they understood as "martial arts"!
That afternoon, the semifinal pairings were announced:
First match: Vitelli vs. Jackie Chun (Master Roshi)
Second match: Son Goku vs. Krillin
The matches had temporarily ended, and Vitelli was about to join Bulma for a late lunch. But she gently tugged at his arm and pointed to Goku and Krillin nearby. They were rubbing their stomachs and eyeing the food stalls around them. "Why don't we bring them along? Krillin told me they came here to compete without much money. The meals the tournament provides... probably aren't enough for Goku."
Vitelli glanced at the two little kids, especially Krillin, who was trying to look composed even as his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl. Thinking of the chance they might fight side by side someday, he nodded casually. "Sure."
"Wow! Thanks so much, Bulma! Vitelli!" Hearing he'd get to eat a big meal again, Goku cheered and hurried over, dragging along a hesitant, embarrassed Krillin.
This time, Bulma chose a luxurious restaurant famous for its seafood. The result was yet another "disaster" that left the manager and chefs questioning their lives.
Vitelli and Goku were like two efficient food-crushing machines. Wherever they went, plates emptied at a visible pace. Lobster, king crab, oysters, mountains of sushi and sashimi... the food vanished into their mouths without end.
Krillin had learned his lesson this time. He quickly grabbed a big plate of his favorite food and quietly dug in from a corner. Watching those two "inhuman" appetites, he once again gained a whole new understanding of what it meant to be "a big eater."
Under the restaurant owner's complicated gaze, equal parts heartbroken and ingratiating, Vitelli contentedly set down the last enormous crab shell and picked his teeth. Goku copied him, rubbing his round belly and humming happily.
Bulma coolly paid with her card. The long string of digits left Krillin staring wide-eyed, his heart screaming, "Having money is great! I want to be rich too!"
The afternoon semifinals were about to begin.
The atmosphere around the main ring was even more charged with anticipation than it had been that morning. The four remaining competitors would soon be narrowed down to two, and then the champion of this tournament would finally be crowned!
First semifinal: Son Goku vs. Krillin!
The two small boys launched into an intense fight on the enormous ring! They were nimble and quick, exchanging rapid punches and kicks as they switched between attack and defense in a dazzling flurry. Their solid foundation, taught by Master Roshi, and the results of a year of intensive training were on full display in their exhilarating battle.
The audience watched, entranced, and cheered for the two children, so young yet so astonishingly strong.
"Go, Goku!"
"Krillin! Don't lose!"
"Jackie Chun," Master Roshi in disguise, mingled with the crowd and watched his two students with pride. He was especially pleased when Goku seized a fleeting opening during their fierce exchange and suddenly leaped back to make some distance.
Goku quickly brought his hands together at his waist and struck a stance Master Roshi knew all too well, but had never expected to see from him—the opening stance of the Kamehameha!
"Th-that's..." Master Roshi's pupils contracted. His eyes behind his sunglasses went round. "The Kamehameha?! Impossible! I haven't taught them that yet! Could it be... from Mount Frypan?!"
He instantly recalled using the technique once to put out the fire back then. Could the boy really have learned it after seeing it only once...?!
"Ka... me..." Goku's childish voice rang out, full of strength. A blue orb of energy quickly gathered in his palms, radiating a shocking surge of power!
Goku's sudden retreat had caught Krillin off guard. When he saw the familiar stance and felt the terrifying aura of energy surging toward him, his face went deathly pale! He recognized it! That was Master Mutaito's ultimate technique! An overwhelming sense of danger engulfed him! Dodge? Too late! Block? With what?!
"Ha... me..."
"Ha—!!!"
With a roar from Goku, a dazzling blue beam of energy tore through the air like a roaring dragon. It crossed the ring in an instant and slammed into Krillin, who had no time to react!
"Gaaah—!!!"
Krillin had time for only a short, anguished cry before the violent torrent of energy flung him away like a broken kite. He traced a high arc through the air and crashed heavily onto the ground outside the ring with a rumble, his head lolling to one side as he passed out. He'd made a small crater in the ground, and dust billowed around him.
The referee was stunned for several seconds by the technique's immense power. When he came to, he hurriedly raised his hand. "O-out of bounds! The winner of this match is—Son Goku!!!"
"Yeah! I won!" Goku jumped with excitement, his face shining with the joy of victory.
"Whoa—!!!" The stands erupted in deafening amazement! The crowd cheered wildly for that dazzling and powerful attack!
After a brief rest, the announcer's excited voice rang out once more.
"Next up! The highly anticipated second semifinal! The mysterious and powerful Vitelli will face the experienced and inscrutable Jackie Chun!!"
Vitelli and Master Roshi, as Jackie Chun, walked onto the ring at the same time.
Master Roshi had taken off his sunglasses, revealing an aged face and sharp eyes. He looked grave as he focused on Vitelli. The earlier scene was still fresh in his mind. This young man put even more pressure on him than King Piccolo had back then!
Referee: "Begin!"
Vitelli didn't act as casually as he had against King Chapa. He showed this martial arts master a basic level of respect.
He took a simple fighting stance and said gravely, "Come at me, Mr. Chun."
At the same time, he focused his mind and forcibly suppressed his ki to a level close to Master Roshi's. But he couldn't suppress his physical strength, reflexes, or other basic attributes.
Master Roshi took a deep breath, knowing that there was no point in testing his opponent. He gave a low shout and pushed off hard with his feet, vanishing from where he stood! Fast! Like a ghost! To the ordinary spectators, he was nothing more than a blurry afterimage rushing toward Vitelli!
Master Roshi suddenly appeared at Vitelli's side and swung a whip-like kick, powered by his full strength, toward Vitelli's ribs. It came with a sharp whistle and a tricky angle, its speed astonishing!
But in Vitelli's eyes, Master Roshi's lightning-fast attack was as slow as a scene in a movie playing in slow motion! Vitelli didn't even need to think. His body reacted instinctively, shifting aside with ease and perfect naturalness. Master Roshi's kick grazed his clothes, stirring his hair with the air it displaced.
After missing his first strike, Master Roshi didn't lose heart. His fists, palms, fingers, and legs poured out in a storm of attacks! Every blow contained the essence of martial arts, with tricky angles and deceptive feints! In an instant, figures blurred across the ring and the wind howled around their strikes!
But as the fight went on, Master Roshi grew more and more alarmed. No matter how ingenious his attacks or how fast he moved, Vitelli always dodged them effortlessly at the last possible instant, with the smallest of movements, as if he'd predicted them! Vitelli hadn't even left his spot! His movements were fluid and natural, following an indescribable rhythm. It was as if he weren't fighting but performing an elegant dance on the ring! Every so often, one of Master Roshi's blows, powerful enough to shatter stone, landed on him when he couldn't be bothered to dodge. They all vanished into the void like stones sinking into the sea, without even making Vitelli sway!
What a shame... Vitelli sighed inwardly, overwhelmed by disappointment. He'd hoped to suppress his strength and have a thrilling, evenly matched battle with this martial arts master, experiencing the pure clash of martial arts.
But reality was cruel. His body's instincts and his control over the rhythm of battle alone were enough to keep him unbeatable. His opponent's attacks were riddled with openings in his eyes. This wasn't a fight at all; it was one-sided teasing. He even tried giving up on dodging, but Master Roshi wasn't strong enough to do so much as tickle him.
Master Roshi was even more shocked. Sweat had already soaked through his back! He'd given it everything and used every technique he had! Yet his opponent was like an immovable mountain! Each apparently casual dodge landed precisely in the gaps between his attacks! The fact that Vitelli remained completely still when struck showed just how unfathomably powerful his body was! Just what was this young man?! How strong was he?!
It seems my dream of having a serious fight on Earth is destined to remain out of reach. Vitelli felt helpless.
Master Roshi abruptly retreated a few steps to make some distance. A look of resolve flashed across his eyes. He tore off his training shirt, revealing a lean body packed with strength. He raised his hands quickly in front of his chest. Powerful, wild electrical energy began to gather around him, crackling! Blue arcs of lightning leaped and flashed, casting a grim light across his aged face!
"Kid! Be careful with this next move!!" Master Roshi shouted, his hair and beard bristling. "Thunder... Shock... Surprise!!!"
Rumble—!!!
Master Roshi thrust both palms forward. A gigantic net woven from countless wild blue bolts of lightning descended on Vitelli in an instant, carrying a destructive force and deafening thunder! The dazzling light made every spectator instinctively shut their eyes!
"Vitelli!" Bulma's heart leaped into her throat, and she couldn't help crying out.
"Ah..." Vitelli's clear, helpless sigh rang out once more from the ring.
Just as the terrifying net of lightning was about to swallow Vitelli, he moved! No flashy technique, no windup. He simply raised his right hand and gave the net sweeping down over him a light, casual wave.
Snap—!!!
A crisp sound rang out, like glass shattering! The Thunder Shock Surprise, with its impressive display and power enough to melt steel, instantly came apart under Vitelli's nonchalant wave, like a soap bubble being popped! The wild current scattered like a headless swarm of flies. After a few unwilling crackles, it vanished completely into the air, as if it had never existed!
The entire arena fell silent once again! Not a sound could be heard!
Master Roshi held his outstretched pose, staring in stunned disbelief as if he'd turned to stone. His all-out attack... was just... gone?
Vitelli slowly raised his head and looked at Master Roshi's stunned face. His expression was calm and impassive, yet there was an indifference in his eyes that sent a chill through Master Roshi.
"I'll... get a little serious, too." Vitelli's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly through the arena. "Be careful. Don't die."
Before his words had even faded, Vitelli vanished from his spot!
Master Roshi's vision blurred! An indescribable aura of death, as if the whole world were collapsing on top of him, swallowed him in an instant! He didn't even have time to react! Time seemed to stretch infinitely in that moment!
In Master Roshi's widening pupils, he seemed to see... his whole life...
His childhood, training with Master Shen under Master Mutaito, sweating through the basics. His eyes had been so pure back then; he hadn't known the first thing about women.
The despairing terror of King Piccolo's presence, and Master Mutaito's determination as he burned through his life to use the Evil Containment Wave...
Climbing Korin Tower, then seeing Korin's paw reach out with a Senzu Bean when he was utterly exhausted...
The excitement of using the Kamehameha for the first time...
The embarrassment of getting a nosebleed when he saw a pretty girl in a swimsuit...
The satisfaction of teaching Kid Goku and Kid Krillin...
More than three hundred years of life flashed past his eyes like scenes in a film reel! Every detail was crystal clear! Was this... the sign of approaching death?!
Boom—!!!!
A deafening crash jolted Master Roshi out of the visions. The agony he'd expected never came! He abruptly opened his eyes and saw Vitelli's fist stopped less than an inch from the tip of his nose!
The terrifying force of the punch hadn't dissipated. Like an invisible blade, it tore through the air with a savage roar, starting from Vitelli's fist and surging straight into the sky!
Riiiip—!!!
The clouds in the high sky split apart wherever the punch's force passed, as if cleaved by an enormous axe! In an instant, a vast channel of empty sky appeared, stretching across the heavens and tens of meters wide! Sunlight poured through that huge "chasm" and cast a spectacular beam onto the ring! It was as if the punch had pierced the sky!
"Whoa—!!!!!!!"
After a brief silence came an uproar of astonishment and screams, as loud as a tsunami and powerful enough to shake all of Papaya Island! Every spectator stood up and stared at the punch's trail tearing through the heavens, their faces filled with utter shock and disbelief! Could a human really possess such strength?! This was a miracle!!
Master Roshi stood frozen, cold sweat pouring from his forehead like a waterfall. His training clothes were soaked through. He stared at the fist just inches from his face, then looked up at the enormous "wound" stretching across the sky.
In that instant... he'd truly seen his entire life flash before his eyes! If his opponent hadn't held back... Master Roshi would never have seen another beautiful woman again!
Vitelli slowly drew back his fist and sighed, his interest gone. Without even looking at Master Roshi, who was still shaken to the core, he turned straight toward the referee's stand.
His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly cut through the noise of the crowd. "I forfeit."
"Huh?!!" Bulma, Goku, Krillin, Master Roshi, the announcer, and the entire audience were dumbfounded! They even wondered if their ears were playing tricks on them!
"Vitelli says he's forfeiting!!!... Vitelli has chosen to... forfeit?!" The announcer's excited voice cracked as he stammered in disbelief. "Vitelli! Are you... are you sure?! You have an overwhelming advantage!"
Vitelli didn't respond to him at all. Turning around, he looked past the crowd at Kid Goku, who stood below the ring with a confused expression. There was a complicated kind of expectation in his eyes.
"Do your best, Goku." Vitelli's voice carried an almost imperceptible seriousness. "You need to get stronger soon."
With that, he ignored everyone and walked straight down from the ring, taking Bulma's hand. She looked at Vitelli but didn't ask why he'd forfeited or where they were going. She simply clasped his broad, warm hand in return and tilted her face up to give him a gentle, firm smile. "Mm. Let's go."
Feeling the warmth and trust in her palm, Vitelli nodded. He walked hand in hand with Bulma, ignoring the arena still plunged into shock and chaos behind him and the crowd's bewildered, fervent stares. They strolled toward the calm, blue sea at the edge of the island.
Sunlight fell on them, casting long shadows.
Behind them, the announcer's voice rang out through the speakers as he came back to his senses, trying to revive the mood in the arena. "Uh... since Vitelli has forfeited, the winner of this semifinal is... Jackie Chun! Next, we'll hold the final match of this World Martial Arts Tournament! Son Goku will face Jackie Chun! The true champion is about to be crowned!!!"
Chapter 12: Master Mutaito Nearly Went Broke
Papaya Island, the resort island that had been buzzing with excitement over the World Martial Arts Tournament, finally settled back into its original quiet as the last competitors and spectators left.
The once-crowded streets and packed beaches now held nothing but the soothing rhythm of waves lapping against the shore and the clear calls of seabirds.
Sunlight poured unobstructed onto the soft white sand, its reflection dazzling, while the salty, refreshing scent of the sea breeze filled the air. It was as if the earlier festivities had been nothing more than a brief dream.